After admitting the existence of massive warrantless spying on our phone and e-mail records, President Obama said he welcomes a national debate on the subject. “I think it’s healthy for our democracy,” he said. And his press secretary confirmed that Obama believes antiterrorism surveillance is “an absolutely appropriate topic for debate.”

That raises an obvious question: If it weren’t for Edward Snowden, exactly when did Mr. Obama intend to tell us about these violations of the Fourth Amendment – so the “debate” could begin?